What are your 3 top land based Caribbean spots?
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DogDiver
Contributor
CoCo View, CoCo View and CoCo View.
Dominica, Little Cayman, Bonaire
drrich2
Contributor
That's a tough one, because it begs the question, 'Best for what?' If I'm going alone, ready access to lots of good diving, with a straight-forward, low-hassle topside (food, bed, AC, a few scenic views to photograph) and everybody speaks English and accepts U.S. money & credit cards, prices aren't outrageous and total trip cost is good.
Bonaire by a land-slide. I was impressed with St. Croix, in that I could do 4 boat dives/day (can do that in Key Largo, too, and I think better diving), and there are shore diving options (which Key Largo mostly lacks). Haven't dove Little Cayman land-based (just live-aboard), but I think it checks the boxes. Never been to Roatan, but from the trip reports and descriptions provided by others, I think it'd make the cut. Left off Curacao because it has a rep. for diving much like Bonaire, but sounds more complicated getting site-to-site fast, and I don't want to pick both.
So I'd pick Bonaire, and expect Little Cayman and CocoView Resort (by reputation) in Roatan to be my 3. One big caveat; going to any of these, especially the latter 2, I'd go alone. I know CocoView's single supplement isn't ridiculous; Little Cayman's website wants me to submit info. rather than telling me rates upfront, which makes me nervous. Roatan's reputation for having to use repellent constantly outdoors due to 'sand fleas' is off-putting.
If I focus on topside, it's likely I'm bringing my wife, 5-year old daughter and maybe mother-in-law. Big game changer. Forget Bonaire (high airfare, limited topside activities), Little Cayman (ain't paying for non-divers, limited topside activities) or CocoView (they don't accept guests under 10).
Grand Cayman (probably Sunshine Suites Resort or Comfort Suites on 7 Mile Beach) would fill the bill (if wife hadn't picked getting an above-ground pool this year, I'd have tried for this). St. Croix worked fine. You said Caribbean, so I'm leaving out Florida options. I could maybe argue Cozumel or Belize, but I think I'd pick Cozumel, probably staying at an A.I. resort (sandy beach, kid's club, cost containment, not wandering around to eat, kid can run around without so much worry about traffic).
For family, I'd pick Grand Cayman, Cozumel, and St. Croix (but you could make arguments for Belize, St. Lucia, some other places).
Richard.
Bonaire by a land-slide. I was impressed with St. Croix, in that I could do 4 boat dives/day (can do that in Key Largo, too, and I think better diving), and there are shore diving options (which Key Largo mostly lacks). Haven't dove Little Cayman land-based (just live-aboard), but I think it checks the boxes. Never been to Roatan, but from the trip reports and descriptions provided by others, I think it'd make the cut. Left off Curacao because it has a rep. for diving much like Bonaire, but sounds more complicated getting site-to-site fast, and I don't want to pick both.
So I'd pick Bonaire, and expect Little Cayman and CocoView Resort (by reputation) in Roatan to be my 3. One big caveat; going to any of these, especially the latter 2, I'd go alone. I know CocoView's single supplement isn't ridiculous; Little Cayman's website wants me to submit info. rather than telling me rates upfront, which makes me nervous. Roatan's reputation for having to use repellent constantly outdoors due to 'sand fleas' is off-putting.
If I focus on topside, it's likely I'm bringing my wife, 5-year old daughter and maybe mother-in-law. Big game changer. Forget Bonaire (high airfare, limited topside activities), Little Cayman (ain't paying for non-divers, limited topside activities) or CocoView (they don't accept guests under 10).
Grand Cayman (probably Sunshine Suites Resort or Comfort Suites on 7 Mile Beach) would fill the bill (if wife hadn't picked getting an above-ground pool this year, I'd have tried for this). St. Croix worked fine. You said Caribbean, so I'm leaving out Florida options. I could maybe argue Cozumel or Belize, but I think I'd pick Cozumel, probably staying at an A.I. resort (sandy beach, kid's club, cost containment, not wandering around to eat, kid can run around without so much worry about traffic).
For family, I'd pick Grand Cayman, Cozumel, and St. Croix (but you could make arguments for Belize, St. Lucia, some other places).
Richard.
Damselfish
Contributor
Little Cayman, Grand Cayman, Curacao. Still too many places I haven't gotten to yet though.
Saltyhawg
Contributor
Little Cayman, Cozumel and Curacao but haven't made it to Bonaire yet. Roatan just misses the list.
I agree with @drrich2 that "Best for what?" is a good question. A lot depends on what you are looking for and the questions include:
What is your budget? Are you primarily focused on diving or are there other things you want to do? Will you be traveling with a buddy or need dive companions? Will you have non-diving family with you? How far are you willing to travel? Would Are you okay with shore diving? Do you like drift diving or do you prefer moored, boat dives? Are you an UW photographer or videographer? Do you want to see sharks and big stuff? Are you okay diving colder water or prefer only warm water?
Our favorites have changed with time and our needs and preferences, but lately they have been Cayman Brac or Little Cayman, and Grand Cayman.
What is your budget? Are you primarily focused on diving or are there other things you want to do? Will you be traveling with a buddy or need dive companions? Will you have non-diving family with you? How far are you willing to travel? Would Are you okay with shore diving? Do you like drift diving or do you prefer moored, boat dives? Are you an UW photographer or videographer? Do you want to see sharks and big stuff? Are you okay diving colder water or prefer only warm water?
Our favorites have changed with time and our needs and preferences, but lately they have been Cayman Brac or Little Cayman, and Grand Cayman.
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Curacao
Utila
British Virgin Islands
Utila
British Virgin Islands
sara v
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Grand Cayman was fabulous - especially in the summer - relative 'low season' for the Caribbean and lots of land based stuff for non-divers - in August, water temp at 100 feet was 87 degrees - which is way warmer than it ought to be but incredible for diving - no wetsuits - not even rash guards were needed
Belize - so-so - weather kept us from doing much diving at all but the one day I did dive outside the reef, it was pretty spectacular - viz not as good as GC
St. Croix - Cane bay is awesome - did a shore dive there - great viz - lots of sea life - fun and easy dive
Places I want to dive but haven't (yet)... Little Cayman, Cayman Brac, Belize Atolls, Curacao, Bonaire, Barbados, St. Lucia, Key West, Eleuthera... no desire to dive in the Pacific except in the Galapagos... too darned cold
Belize - so-so - weather kept us from doing much diving at all but the one day I did dive outside the reef, it was pretty spectacular - viz not as good as GC
St. Croix - Cane bay is awesome - did a shore dive there - great viz - lots of sea life - fun and easy dive
Places I want to dive but haven't (yet)... Little Cayman, Cayman Brac, Belize Atolls, Curacao, Bonaire, Barbados, St. Lucia, Key West, Eleuthera... no desire to dive in the Pacific except in the Galapagos... too darned cold
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